For Naomi Gray, choosing BISP meant finding a school where her passion for sport could become part of her education rather than something she pursued separately. A competitive swimmer for the past eight years, Naomi spent her final two years at BISP as part of the High Performance Swimming Academy, while completing the BTEC Level 3 in Sport and living in boarding.

I chose BISP because my passion is sport, she explains. I’m more into the practical-based coursework pathway rather than IB. Also, they have a great swim programme.

Swimming first became part of Naomi’s life through school galas and recreational training sessions. As her enjoyment grew, so did the commitment. At BISP, her week included morning and afternoon sessions several times a week, afternoon training on other days and another session on Saturday morning. Adjusting to that increased training load, particularly the early starts, was one of her first challenges, but the environment around her made a difference.

We have such a good group in the team and the environment is also very positive. We have really good coaches who make the programme really enjoyable.

Different Pathways, One Swimming Academy

For Naomi, one of the strengths of the BISP Sea Eagles Swimming Academy is the range of pathways available. The programme supports swimmers from Learn to Swim through different development levels and into High Performance competition, while also providing opportunities for Primary and Secondary students who enjoy swimming for fitness without wanting to commit to intensive training.

I think what makes our programme unique is the different learning pathways used to help develop swimmers, Naomi says.

Her own pathway took her to the BISP Invitational, FOBISIA Invitational, Thai Nationals and several other meets in Bangkok. One of her proudest moments came at the Thai Nationals, where she won bronze, her first national medal in Thailand. Personal bests at competitions such as the BISP and FOBISIA invitationals were also important markers of progress for her. 

Where Swimming and Learning Meet

The connection between swimming and Naomi’s BTEC Sport studies became an important part of her BISP experience. Topics including nutrition, psychology, anatomy and physiology had direct relevance to her life as an athlete, giving her real examples to draw on in reports, presentations and other coursework.

At the same time, years in the pool shaped the way she approached her studies.

Swimming is a very consistent sport and although you train as a team, it is an individual sport. I’ve learned discipline because it’s mainly you that motivates yourself.

Naomi also points to time management, communication and sportsmanship as skills she developed through swimming. Balancing the two sides was made easier, she says, by teachers who understood the demands of competitions and coaches who recognised when important academic deadlines needed attention.

Boarding became another part of that balance. Living on campus made getting to early-morning training considerably easier, but it also brought some of the friendships Naomi values most from her time at BISP.

Some of my closest friends I met are through boarding.

Taking It Forward

Having graduated with the BISP Class of 2026, Naomi is continuing that connection between sport and learning as she moves on to study Sport and Exercise Science at university in Scotland, while continuing to swim.

Her two years at BISP brought together competitive swimming, practical learning, boarding and the friendships and independence that came with each. And despite the demanding sessions and early mornings, when asked to choose one word to describe how she feels when she swims, Naomi’s answer was simple: “enjoyable.”